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Eastern Promises (2007)
Rate:
8
Viewed:
6/08, 11/20
6/08:
Shot on location in London, Eastern Promises is an above-average picture at the
hands of David Cronenberg with nice cinematography and outstanding performance by Viggo Mortensen.
Making for a slow viewing, it picks up the pace in the final half-hour because of the unpredictable twist. The
bloody, gritty violent tone is much appreciated, especially during the shower scene which is typical of David
Cronenberg.
Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl are compelling to watch. Naomi Watts plays a caring character with plenty
of sympathy; therefore, her acting is okay but nothing special.
Finally, the sole reason for watching Eastern Promises is Viggo Mortensen. I'm not going to say I was awed
by his character, but rather, I want to think back to his earlier films, spanning much of the 90's. At the
beginning, Viggo was unremarkable who showed off too much flake. However, he got better over time, hitting the
peak in G.I. Jane and, from that point forward, made a remarkable transformation.
Therefore, Eastern Promises is the icing on the cake of his career.
All in all, Eastern Promises should be seen for Viggo Mortensen.
11/20:
I have to love Eastern Promises for not falling victim to digitalization or poor acting which was
beginning to be rampant during the time.
Viggo Mortensen grew so much as an actor in over two decades that, having done extensive research for
his character, he earned his first Oscar nomination. The twist concerning him is the most surprising
part. Vincent Cassel and Armin Mueller-Stahl deserve credit as well with Naomi Watts passing muster.
Apart from the tattoos, the juciest is the slice of Russian organized crime which is shown little in cinema.
David Cronenberg is the best in the business when it comes to extreme gore, and he does it again here, replete with
linoleum knives, during the shower scene in a Turkish bathhouse which ranks among hallmarks of his career.
This level of brutality is what gives Eastern Promises respectability along with the Russian tattoos which
are authentic-looking. For further exploration, the following books should be checked out:
Russian Criminal Tattoo Encyclopaedia in three volumes (which served the basis of the characters' tattoos)
and Russian Prison Tattoos: Codes of Authority, Domination, and Struggle.
If there's anything to be disappointed by, it's the story that feels short. Hence, I'll like to
see a sequel with same characters in the next phase of Nikolai's undercover work. In fact, they were going to do
that with more insight into the Russian mob lifestyle, but plans for it got scrapped.
All in all, Eastern Promises is Viggo Mortensen's finest achievement in acting.